Out of the Hat

Magic tricks spill out of every corner at this unexpected little museum in Tewkesbury, where the art of illusion gets proper treatment. The collection spans centuries of conjuring history, from Victorian card tricks to modern stage illusions, with plenty of hands-on demonstrations that'll have you questioning what you've just seen.

Families will find this absolutely brilliant - kids get genuinely mesmerized by the interactive exhibits, while adults appreciate the craftsmanship behind elaborate trick boxes and vintage apparatus. The volunteers who run the place are proper enthusiasts, often magicians themselves, and they're more than happy to show you how some of the simpler tricks work.

Admission won't cost you a penny, which makes it a cracking rainy day option when you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks like Millavon or Dawleys Caravan Park. Allow about an hour to see everything properly, though younger visitors might want longer to try their hand at the interactive bits.

Being right in Tewkesbury means you can easily combine this with a wander around the historic abbey or the medieval streets. It's not earth-shattering, but for a free attraction that genuinely entertains all ages, Out of the Hat delivers exactly what it promises - and then some.